Module wrap feed system

Abstract

A wrap feed system is provided for an agricultural harvesting machine having a module-forming arrangement. A wrap feeding arrangement delivers wrapping material from a wrapping material supply to the module-forming arrangement, which is disposed in a module-forming chamber. A guide arrangement guides the wrapping material from the wrapping material supply to the wrap feeding arrangement. A sensor arrangement has at least one detection field directed toward at least one of the wrapping material supply, the wrap feeding arrangement, the guide arrangement and an inlet of the module-forming chamber to detect at least one of a module and the wrapping material.

1 . A wrap feed system for a module-forming arrangement in an agricultural harvesting machine, the system comprising:
 a wrap feeding arrangement for delivering wrapping material from a wrapping material supply to the module-forming arrangement disposed in a module-forming chamber having an inlet;   a guide arrangement guiding the wrapping material from the wrapping material supply to the wrap feeding arrangement; and   a sensor arrangement having at least one detection field directed toward at least one of the wrapping material supply, the wrap feeding arrangement, the guide arrangement and the module-forming chamber inlet to detect at least one of a module and the wrapping material.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the module-forming arrangement includes at least one endless member disposed about a plurality of support rolls and defining a periphery of the module as it is formed in the module-forming arrangement. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the module-forming arrangement includes a tensioning arm biasing the at least one endless member in tension. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor arrangement includes a first sensor having a first detection field and a second sensor having a second detection field, wherein the first and second detection fields are directed toward different one of the wrapping material supply, the wrap feeding arrangement, the guide arrangement and the module-forming chamber inlet. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the first detection field is directed toward at least one of the wrapping material supply, the wrap feeding arrangement and the guide arrangement to detect the wrapping material, and wherein the second detection field is directed across the module-forming chamber inlet to detect at least a portion of the module extending into the module-forming chamber inlet. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the first sensor detects an absence of the wrapping material in the first detection field. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the first sensor is an acoustic sensor and the second sensor is an optical sensor. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , further including a controller operatively coupled to the sensor arrangement and configured to receive sensor input and output a feedback signal indicative of a mis-wrap event. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the feedback signal is at least one of an operator alert or a control signal for controlling a component of the wrapping system or the module-forming arrangement. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the mis-wrap event corresponds to the module being at least partially unwrapped at the end of a wrap cycle. 
     
     
         11 . A wrap feed system for a module-forming arrangement in an agricultural harvesting machine, the system comprising:
 a wrap feeding arrangement for delivering wrapping material from a wrapping material supply to the module-forming arrangement disposed in a module-forming chamber having an inlet;   at least one wrap feed roll positioned intermediate the wrapping material supply and the wrap feeding arrangement for guiding the wrapping material from the wrapping material supply to the wrap feeding arrangement;   a sensor arrangement including:
 a first sensor having a first detection field; and 
 a second sensor having a second detection field; 
 wherein the first detection field is directed toward at least one of the wrapping material supply, the wrap feeding arrangement and the at least one wrap feed roll to detect the wrapping material, and wherein the second detection field is directed across the module-forming chamber inlet to detect at least a portion of the module extending into the module-forming chamber inlet; and 
   a control system including at least one controller operatively coupled to the first and second sensors and configured to receive sensor input and output a feedback signal indicative of a mis-wrap event.   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein at least one of the first and second sensors detects an absence of the wrapping material in at least one of the first and second detection fields. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the first sensor is an acoustic sensor and the second sensor is an optical sensor. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the mis-wrap event corresponds to the module being at least partially unwrapped at the end of a wrap cycle. 
     
     
         15 . An agricultural harvesting machine, comprising:
 a module-forming arrangement disposed in a module-forming chamber having an inlet;   a wrapping material supply roll;   a wrap feeding arrangement for delivering wrapping material from the wrapping material supply roll to the module-forming arrangement;   at least one wrap feed roll positioned intermediate the wrapping material supply roll and the wrap feeding arrangement for guiding the wrapping material from the wrapping material supply roll to the wrap feeding arrangement; and   a sensor arrangement including:
 a first sensor having a first detection field; and 
 a second sensor having a second detection field; 
 wherein the first detection field is directed toward at least one of the wrapping material supply, the wrap feeding arrangement and the at least one wrap feed roll to detect the wrapping material, and wherein the second detection field is directed across the module-forming chamber inlet to detect at least a portion of the module extending into the module-forming chamber inlet. 
   
     
     
         16 . The agricultural harvesting machine of  claim 15 , further including a control system including at least one controller operatively coupled to the first and second sensors and configured to receive sensor input and output a feedback signal indicative of a mis-wrap event. 
     
     
         17 . The agricultural harvesting machine of  claim 16 , wherein the mis-wrap event corresponds to the module being at least partially unwrapped at the end of a wrap cycle. 
     
     
         18 . The agricultural harvesting machine of  claim 16 , wherein the feedback signal is at least one of an operator alert or a control signal for controlling the at least one wrap feed roll and the module-forming arrangement. 
     
     
         19 . The agricultural harvesting machine of  claim 15 , wherein the first sensor is an acoustic sensor and the second sensor is an optical sensor. 
     
     
         20 . The agricultural harvesting machine of  claim 15 , wherein the module-forming arrangement includes at least one endless member disposed about a plurality of support rolls and defining a periphery of the module as it is formed in the module-forming arrangement, and includes a tensioning arm biasing the at least one endless member in tension.